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Prosecutors in the United States have initiated a criminal investigation into a significant in-flight malfunction of a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting interviews with witnesses, including the aircrew, regarding the January 5 event where part of the aircraft’s fuselage detached during the flight. Reports from sources such as the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post confirmed these developments over the weekend.

Alaska Airlines has expressed its cooperation with the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the routine nature of such DOJ inquiries. They said, “In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.” Boeing has opted not to comment on the matter, citing an ongoing investigation.

In conjunction with the criminal probe, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has highlighted several compliance issues within Boeing’s manufacturing and safety protocols. The FAA’s findings demand a corrective action plan from Boeing within 90 days, amidst broader concerns over the company’s safety culture and internal reporting practices.

This comes as Boeing continues to face increased scrutiny over its safety practices, especially in light of previous incidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in significant fatalities.